Waterproof Earrings: Which ones you can wear while showering, swimming, and working out
In short: Earrings made of stainless steel, titanium, and solid gold are waterproof. Gold-plated brass, silver-plated fashion jewelry earrings, and pieces with glued stones should not be worn in the shower. For stainless steel, simply rinse it briefly after exposure to chlorine or salt water.
Earrings are the jewelry you're most likely to forget about. You take off necklaces and bracelets before showering, but studs stay in. That's exactly why the material is more important for earrings than for anything else.
What water really does
Pure water is harmless. The problem is the additives: chlorine in swimming pools attacks alloy metals like copper, salt in the sea accelerates corrosion of base metal cores, and shower gel and shampoo leave residues in clasps and settings. Nothing happens to the surface of stainless steel because the chromium oxide layer blocks the reaction. With gold-plated brass, moisture works its way through the pores of the galvanic layer to the core, and then the earring becomes stained within a few weeks.
Construction beats material
Even a stainless steel earring can suffer if it has glued parts. Pearls, cubic zirconia, and enamel are often set in glue, which softens with continuous moisture. Bezel-set or prong-set stones, on the other hand, hold up without problems. For studs, it's also worth looking at the clasp: butterfly backs made of thin sheet metal lose their tension when wet, while screw backs and solid ball backs do not.
| Earring Type | Shower | Swimming Pool | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel, no glued parts | yes | yes, rinse afterwards | yes, rinse afterwards |
| Gold-plated stainless steel | yes | briefly, rinse afterwards | briefly, rinse afterwards |
| 925 silver | better not | no | no |
| Gold-plated brass | no | no | no |
| With glued stones | no | no | no |
What this means for your purchase
If you're looking for earrings you can put in in the morning and then forget about, choose simple stainless steel models without glued connections: ball studs, small hoops, huggies. These usually cost between 15 and 40 euros, last for years, and save you the hassle of taking them off before every workout. What size suits which look can be found in the hoop earring guide and in the overview of earring types. The same principle applies to the rest of your look, which you can read about under waterproof jewelry in summer. All stainless steel models can be found in the Corelune Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear earrings in chlorinated water?
Yes, with stainless steel and titanium. Chlorine does not attack the surface, but it can settle in clasps and dry into a whitish film. After swimming, rinse briefly under running water and dry with a cloth to maintain the shine. Silver and gold-plated fashion jewelry should be kept out.
Are waterproof earrings also suitable for new ear piercings?
Freshly pierced earlobes require the initial studs from the studio and several weeks of healing, regardless of the material. Only when the piercing channel has healed can you switch to regular studs. Every studio advises against swimming in public pools during this time anyway, for hygiene reasons.
Why do my earrings become dull on vacation, even though they are waterproof?
Most of the time, it's sunscreen. The fats and film-forming agents create a thin layer on the metal and scatter the light, making the shine appear to be gone. This is not damage. A drop of dish soap, lukewarm water, a soft toothbrush, rinse, and it's done.
At Corelune: Free shipping from €59, 14-day return policy, shipping from Germany.
